No more cancer sticks at CVS pharmacy. The country’s second largest pharmacy chain will stop selling cigarettes and other tobacco products at its more than 7,600 stores in October. The loss: $2 billion in annual sales.

But it’s not about money, it’s about health. Kind of.

The company’s president and CEO Larry Merlo said it’s the right decision for a company that is positioning itself for a larger position in the health care products. So, it is also about repositioning the company more prominently as a pharmacy rather than the de facto convenience store that it has become. And now is the time, with millions more Americans to be insured in the coming years under Obamacare.

“Tobacco products have no place in a setting where health products are delivered,” Merlo said, pointing out that smoking makes worse such chronic conditions as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.

Alcohol isn’t so good for most people either, but there is no mention of pulling Budweisers or any other lucrative liquors from the shelves anytime soon. Perhaps because, unlike cigarettes, there’s not an effective campaign — and products — to help people kick the habit.

Merlo said this spring the stores will launch a robust program to help folks put the smokes out for good. That’s good news for everyone and could help create CVS brand loyalty and maybe even boost sales of anti-smoking products.

The Center for Disease Control estimates 19 percent of Americans smoke and it is the leading cause of preventable deaths, accounting for one of every five deaths in the United States.

If there’s one fewer person that smokes because of this campaign, it is a success.

As President Barack Obama said, the CVS decision sets a powerful example. It’s one that should be followed.